Ski board training device

ABSTRACT

A platform, a pair of skis, and individual support means for supporting each ski for pivoting and rocking motion about mutually perpendicular axes of rotation while permitting limited fore and aft translational movements of each ski independently of the other ski relative to its respective longitudinal axis.

United States Patent Cormier [54] SKI BOARD TRAINING DEVICE [72] Inventor: Gerald R. Cormier, 17 Desmond Drive, Wethersfield, Conn. 06109 [22] Filed: Aug. 10, 1970 [211 Appl. No.: 62,541

[52] US. Cl. ..272l57 B [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 69/18 [58] Field of Search ..35/29 R; 272/57 13 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,274,081 2/1942 Mautin ..272l57 B 2,455,274 11/1948 Scriver ..272l57 B 3,455,550 7/1969 Hall ..272l57 B Dec. 26, 1972 3,511,499 5/1970 Schawaider ..272l57 B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 78,260 5/1962 France ..35/29 R 228,225 8/1943 Switzerland..... ...272/57 B Primary Examiner-Harland S. Skogquist Attorney-Prutzman, Hayes, Kalb & Chilton [57] ABSTRACT A platform, a pair of skis, and individual support means for supporting each ski for pivoting and rocking motion about mutually perpendicular axes of rotation while permitting limited fore and aft translational movements of each ski independently of the other ski relative to its respective longitudinal axis.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED DEE 2 6 I972 INVENTOR GERALD R. CORMIER %M7%MM% ATTO R NEYS SKI BOARD TRAINING DEVICE This invention generally relates to ski training devices.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improved ski board training device having a significantly simplified construction providing independent movements of each ski relative to the other and to a supporting platform to provide realistic simulation of actual ski conditions.

'Another object of this invention is to provide a training device of the above-described type which is of a rugged, compact structure particularly suited for quick and easy low cost manufacture and capable of repeated use over extended periods of time.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in more detail hereinafter.

- A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawing which set forth an illustrative embodiment and are indicative of the various ways in which the principle of the invention is employed.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a training device incorporating this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section view, partly broken away, taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged cross-sectional view, partly broken away, taken generally along line 33 of FIG. LRefe'rring in detail to the drawing, wherein a preferred embodiment of a ski board training device is illustrated incorporating this invention, a platform 12 is shown having a generally flat, planar upper surface 14. The platform 12 will be understood to have a suitable bottom surface to prevent the platform 12 from undesired movement when supported on a floor, for example. A pair of separate, narrow elongated foot supporting members or simulated skis 16, 16 are supported for movement on the platform 12.

While a variety of different types of ski exercising and training devices have been developed, such apparatus which provides a wide variety of different body motions required for realistic simulation of actual ski conditions have been found to be undesirably complex and costly. Moreover, the known devices do not permit different coordinated body movements necessary to assume the wide variety of different positions which normally would be encountered under actual skiing conditions.

To provide such realistic simulation of actual ski conditions, the construction of the ski board training device 10 of this invention is particularly suited to provide rotating or pivoting movements in opposite angular directions of each ski l6, 16, relative to a generally ments during a turn, the skis under actual skiing conditions are alternately moved forwardly of one another so that the inside ski on a turn leads the other ski.

The skis 16, 16 shownin the drawing are preferably made of wood or other suitable material, and since each of the skis l6, 16 are substantially identical, the following description will be understood to apply equally to both skis 16, 16. Each ski 16 has an arcuate heel positioning plate 18 which may be formed, e.g., of a suitable material such as aluminum and secured by fasteners, not shown, to a rear portion of each ski 16. Each ski also has an adjustable toe clamp 20, which may be formed of aluminum, and provides a generally vertical wall surface 22 suitable for engaging a toe portion, e.g., of a trainees boot. An upper lip 24 is formed on the toe clamp to project rearwardlyin overlying cantilever relation to its wall surface 22' such that, upon beingfirrnly secured in position, inadvertent release of a trainees foot from the ski 16 is minimized.

To adjustably secure the toe clamp 20 in position for a variety of different size feet, an elongated groove 26 extends axially through each ski 16. The groove 26 has an upper opening visible from the top of the ski l6 and of sufficient widthto receive a bolt 28 which extends upwardly through the toe clamp 20 for securing it in a desired position. The groove 26 is of an enlarged crosssectional dimension below its upper opening for. receiving a suitable washer 30 (shown in the form of a flat apertured plate) against which a head of the bolt 28 is tightly drawn upon tightening a wing nut 32 at the opposite upper end of the bolt 28 to releasably secure the toe clamp '20 to the ski 16. If desired, a flexible heel strap 34 may be passed through a pair of angularly disposed grooves such asseen at 36 extending upwardly from opposite sides ofthe heel plate 18 for additionally securing the trainees foot to the ski 16.

To provide the aforementioned movements of each ski 16 independently of the other ski l6 and the platform 12 such that each ski 16 will not only be mounted for relative pivoting and rocking movements but will also be particularly suited to provide fore and aft longitudinal translational movements relative to the other ski, suitable bearing support is provided at forward and rear portions of each ski to maintain it in a normally spaced apart relation to the platform 12 while yet pervertically extendingaxis, as well as rolling or rocking movements relative to their respective longitudinal axes, and additionally to provide for limited fore and aft translational movements along a line of movement coincident with the longitudinal axis of each ski. The last mentioned movements of the skis l6, 16 are absolutely necessary if the training device 10 is to provide beneficial conditioning to a trainee. In addition to an unweightingof the trainees body from his skis,

either with or without the use of poles, and the edging of the skis to provide controlled lateral sliding movemitting the edges of each ski 16 to frictionally contact the platform 12 in sliding engagement for edging the skis in simulated turning movements. More specifically, a bearing ball 38 is trapped within a suitably contoured recess 40 in a heel portion of each ski 16 to project downwardly therefrom for engagement with the platform 12 while ensuring that the center of the heel portion of each ski 16 will be clear of the platform 12. The ball 38 is maintained in position by means of a clip 42 screw mounted to the bottom of each ski 16 to maintain the bearing ball 38 from falling out of its recess 40 while at the same time being in noninterfering relation to the bearing ball 38 upon its being placed in an operative position on a rear surface portion of the platform 12. The ball 38 may be formed of plastic or a suitable metal such as aluminum or steel, and the rear portion of platform 12 is preferably provided with a tough, rugged plastic plate 44, e.g., to serve as a smooth antifriction bearing surface for the heel bearing ball 38 of each ski l6. Opposite rear side edges of the platform 12 are shown having a pair of metal strips 46, 46 secured bearing balls 38, 38'detining extreme pivotal angular positions for the skis 16, 16 shown in full and broken lines respectively in FIG. 1.

To provide a ski board training device which realistically simulates actual skiing conditions in a significantly simplified, compact and rugged construction, a front ball pivot and slot arrangement is provided at a front terminal portion of the training device 10 to support the toe portion of each ski 16 for independent universal pivotal movements and limited fore and aft translational movements.

1n the specifically illustratedembodiment of this invention, a front pivot support for the forward portion of each ski 16 is provided by a ball 50 preferably formed of aluminum or steel'and having a radially projecting post 52 fixed in an opening 54 in the'front terminal portion of the platform 12. Each ski 16 is shown having an axially extending bottom slot configured to conform to the ball 50 and shown in aligned relation forwardly of the'groove 26 to provide a .guideway 56 cooperating with the ball 50 to effect the universal pivoting movements as well as permitting fore and aft longitudinal movements of each ski 16 on the platform 12 independently of the other ski. As best seen in FIG. 1, pivoting motion of each ski 16 is permitted about a generally vertical axis established by the front ball pivot point of each ski to allow it to rotate in opposite angular directions about its front ball 50 while also providing a limited rocking motion in opposite lateral directions relative to the longitudinal axis of each ski as seen in FIG. 3. The left and right .hand metal, strips 46, 46 respectively stop angular pivoting movements of the heel portions of the skis 16, 16 in clockwise and counterclockwise directions relative to the platform 12, and the rocking movements of the skis are limited by contact of their bottom side edge portions with the platform 12. The slotted guideway 56in the bottom of each ski 16 receives its respective front ball 50 which serves as a guide for effecting uniform translational motion of each ski 16 in a straight line relative to its respective front ball fixed to the platform 12 while the heel bearing ball 38 accommodates the various movements experienced by the skier. Forward and rearwalls 58, 60 at the extreme longitudinal ends of the guideway 56 define stops engageable with the front support ball 50 for limiting the translational displacement of each ski to a predetermined range in opposite linear directions. The guideway 56 is dimensioned and configured relative to its cooperating front support ball 50 to additionally minimize any undesired pivoting movement of its respective ski laterally of the guide slot in a plane parallel to the platform, while at the same time ensuring continuous clearance between the center of its ski and the platform substantially equal to that established by the heel bearing ball 38 riding on the rear plate 44 of the platform 12.

F rom the above description, it will be seen that the disclosed ski board training device 10 provides for the skis 16, 16 to be either separately or simultaneously rotated about normal intersecting axes for swinging the skis in opposite angular directions as required, for example, in a snowplow, or concurrently in the same angular direction, and translating in opposite linear directions as in negotiating a downhill run along an S- shaped curve while permitting limited rocking movements of the skis in either angular direction in unison about their longitudinal axes for edging the skis in controlled sidewise sliding movements. in providing an optimum realistic conditioning effectfor the trainee, the individual support means provided for each ski effects limited fore and aft movements of the skis indepenously moved .to the trainees right, the right ski moves back relative to the left ski which is brought forward while the left side edges of each of the skis are rocked downwardly about'their longitudinal axes as the trainee transfers his weight to his right ski. It will be noted that these practice turns can be made with the aid of the above-described training device either with or without ski poles. Assuming that a ski pole, not shown, is being used in making a right turn, for example, the trainee places his right pole on the side in front of the right ski and, while lifting his weight up, slides both skis to the left with his right ski being brought forward relative to that of his left ski, and the right side edges of both skis are rolled downwardly into contact with the platform with the trainees weight being shifted to his left ski.

A 'ski board training device of the type described will provide not only a compact and durable training device for repeated conditioning and practice of parallel ski techniques but will additionally provide an optimum realistic feel to the trainee. The individual support provided for each separate ski allows the same to be bodily I removed from the platform for facile adjustment and fitting of the skis to the feet of a trainee. Moreover, the training device of this invention is quick and easy to manufacture and, due to its significantlysimplified construction, may be utilized in an area requiring a minimumamount of space with maximum beneficial conditioning effects to a trainee. a

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications, adaptations and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

- I claim:

1. A training device for simulating actual skiing conditions and comprising a platform having a generally planar upper surface, a pair of separate elongated simulated skis, and individual support means for each of said skis for mounting each of said skis in elevated posiform members for receiving the ball, said rear support for each ski including a fixed ballsecured in captured underlying relation to a center heel portion of each ski, said front and rear supports cooperating to support their respective ski for universal pivotal movements on the planar platform surface including rocking movements of each ski independently of the other ski in opposite lateral directions relative to the longitudinal axis of each ski while also permitting fore and aft translational movements in opposite linear directions longitudinally of each ski and independently of the other ski.

2. The training device of claim 1 further including stop means mounted on the platform and cooperating with the skis for limiting pivotal movements thereof in opposite angular directions about axes established by the front ball supports of the skis in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axes of the skis.

3. The training device of claim 1 wherein the skis each carry adjustable foot securing means, and wherein the skisare each bodily removable from the platform for quick and easy adjustment of their respective foot securing means.

4. The training device of claim 1 wherein the guideway means for each ski is formed in a bottom surface thereof, and wherein the front ball support for each ski comprises a fixed bearing ball rigidly secured -to the platform.

5. The training device of claim 1 wherein each ski is provided with adjustable foot securing means including a toe clamp, and wherein the front ball support and cooperating guideway means for each ski is disposed forwardly of the toe clamp of its respective ski.

6. The training device of claim 1 wherein forward and rear stop surfaces are provided in the guideway I 

1. A training device for simulating actual skiing conditions and comprising a platform having a generally planar upper surface, a pair of separate elongated simulated skis, and individual support means for each of said skis for mounting each of said skis in elevated position above said planar platform surface, said support means including independent front and rear supports for each ski, said front and rear supports providing bearing support for its respective ski along its longitudinal axis and supporting each ski along its longitudinal axis in spaced relation above said planar platform surface, said front support for each ski including a fixed ball secured to one of the ski and platform members and a guideway formed in the other of the ski and platform members for receiving the ball, said rear support for each ski including a fixed ball secured in captured underlying relation to a center heel portion of each ski, said front and rear supports cooperating to support their respective ski for universal pivotal movements on the planar platform surface including rocking movements of each ski independently of the other ski in opposite lateral directions relative to the longitudinal axis of each ski while also permitting fore and aft translational movements in opposite linear directions longitudinally of each ski and independently of the other ski.
 2. The training device of claim 1 further including stop means mounted on the platform and cooperating with the skis for limiting pivotal movements thereof in opposite angular directions about axes established by the front ball supports of the skis in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axes of the skis.
 3. The training device of claim 1 wherein the skis each carry adjustable foot securing means, and wherein the skis are each bodily removable from the platform for quick and easy adjustment of their respective foot securing means.
 4. The training device of claim 1 wherein the guideway means for each ski is formed in a bottom surface thereof, and wherein the front ball support for each ski comprises a fixed bearing ball rigidly secured to the platform.
 5. The training device of claim 1 wherein each skI is provided with adjustable foot securing means including a toe clamp, and wherein the front ball support and cooperating guideway means for each ski is disposed forwardly of the toe clamp of its respective ski.
 6. The training device of claim 1 wherein forward and rear stop surfaces are provided in the guideway means engageable with the front ball support for establishing limit positions for translational movements of each ski in opposite linear directions, the guideway means of each ski being dimensioned and configured relative to its cooperating front ball support to limit the freedom of translational motion of each ski to only one line of movement which is coincident with its longitudinal axis. 